Switch



Jan. 29 1924.

B. G. JAMIESON SWITCH Filed June 12 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 29, 1924. 1,481,841

B. G. JAMIESON SWITCH Filed. June 12, 1920 3 Shegts-Sheet Jan. 29, 1924. r 1,481,841

B G. JAMiESON v SWITCH Filed June 12 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet Patented Jan. 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERTRAND G. JAMIESOIvl', OF HOLLYWOOD, ILLINOIS ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCH.

Application filed June 12,

To (17/ whom it may cmzmm:

Be it known that l, BiurrnANn G. JAMIE- so'x. a citizen of the lnitcd States, residing at, l'lollvwood, in the county of Cook and State of llliuois, have invented a certain new and useful llllpl'th'tllltllt in Switches, oi which the tollowins is a lull clear, concise, and exact (JSt'lllitltifi. reicreuee being had to the acwnmmnyine' drawings. torining: a part of this specification.

This invention relates to switches and more particularlyto combined oil and air break switches.

it is a purpose of this invention to provide a switch with an air break and an oil contact member, in which the opening ot' the oil contact. is followed automatically by the opening of the air break. It is fur her the purpose of this invention to-positivelv provide a time lag between the opening of the oil contact and the air break.

it is also the purpose of this invention to so construct switch as to make it possible to break the oil contact without open-- ing the air break. and to close the oii contact without, closing the air break and to open and close the air break without closing the oil contact. However, in all cases it is impossible to opeii the air break without first opening the oil contact, this arrangement thus making provision for the safety of the operator at all times.

It, is, moreover, an object of the invention to so construct the improved switch as to provide a visible air break. and to make it' possible to carry out; all the extra manual operations due to the air break from the front, of the device.

It is further object of the invention to provide positive locking means for the switch in its various positions, "for instance with either the air break or oil contact member in open position, so unprevent any :ntcidentai operation tl'iereo't' while a mechanic working on the switch.

These and Further objects of the invention will become v; iarentas the description of the accompanying drawings proceeds. in which Fig. l is a, view in side elevation and partly in section oi' the improved switch in closed position;

i Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof in open position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail viewpartly 1920. Serial No. 388,587.

in section oi the air break mechanism, showterminals 10, immersed in oil and co-perating therewith is a movable contact member 11, mounted on the wooden rod 12, the movable contact member 11 and terminals being provided withsuitable interengaging portions 13 and 14-. The Contact men'iber i l is moved into and out of contact with the tern'iinals 10 by a vertical movement; of the rod 12, which is effected in a manner to be described below. Pivoted to the outer terminals of the oil switch mechanism 15 are bent. levers 10, which are each one member o't knife switches, the other members of which are the contacts 17 carried on the insulator 18 mounted on the standard 8. These are electrically connected to the terminals 19, thus forming a circuit when the members 16 and 17 and members 10 and 11 are in engagement, from one terminal 19 through members 16, 17, 10 and 11, to the other terminal 19, and providing four breaks in the circuit when the switch is open. This air break mechanism is operated in connection with the oil switch mechanism in a manner that will be now described.

Suitably mounted on the frame is a sole n'oid 20, provided with an armature 21, energized in any suitable manner from controls on the switchboard. The armature 2t cooperates with a bell crank lever 22 which is pivoted to the framework at 23 and at one end to the link 24, which in turn is pivoted to one end of links 25 and 26, forminga toggle. The other end of link 26 is pivoted at 27 to an car 28 on bracket (5, and

the other end of link 25 is pivoted to link 29, which is the operating arm or lever for the oil switch. The operating arm 29 is pivoted to an car 30 on the framework 5 at one end, and at its other end to the cap 31 on the rod 12.

It will be seen from the above that when the armature 21 is moved upwardly by energizing the solenoid 20, the arm 32 of the tit) bell crank lever 22 is moved upward from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1 and the end to which the link 2i is pivoted moves clockwise, moving the end thereof pivoted-to links 25 and 26 to the right, thus straightening the toggle formed of links 25 and 26 and lifting the arm 29 and the rod 12 to bring the contacts 10 and 11 into engagement.

The link 25 is provided with an extension 33 which has a cam face comprising a con cave portion 34 and a straight portion 35, cooperating with theroller 36 on the arm 37, suitably pivoted to the frame near one end and having pivotally secured thereto a pair of links 38 made of insulating material such as bakelite. To these the arms 16 are pivoted at 39 near the lower ends of said arms, said arms at their lower ends being pivoted to the terminals 15. One of these terminals is provided with a lug 40 which acts as a shop for the arm 16, the parts being shown in the extreme open position in Fig.- 2. It will be seen that if the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 that the movement described above of the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1 will cause the cam end oifthe lever 33 to raise the arm 37 due to the'engagementof theconcave portion 34 of the cam with roller 36, and this will cause the levers 38 to approach each other and the arms 16, will be swung into engagement with the members 17, thus closing the air gap. The oil switch mechanism or-oil contact member will not yet be closed at this time and a further m0 vement-of the arm 29 upwardly is required to close this switch. In order to allow for this movement without any further movement of the parts 37, 38 and 16, the straight face 35 ot' the cam is provided, which permits the roller 36 to move thereacross without in any way moving arm 37 as the end 33 of arm 25 is swung further to the right to its final position shown in Fig. 1.

The solenoid 20 is only energized for a short time, and means has to be provided to hold the bell crank lever 22 in the position shown in Fig. 1 after. the armature 21 re cedes therefrom.

This mechanism comprises the link ll, the bell crank lever 42 pivoted thereto at one end and centrally to' the frame at 43, and the link 44 pivoted to the opposite end of the bell crank lever. The pivot point 48 of the links 44 and 47 is located in line with the armature 45 of the solenoid 46 and the link 44: is pivoted to link 47 pivoted on. the frame 5. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the solenoid i6 is not energized and the'toggle links 47 and 44 are in straight line and are thus locked in. this position, locking the bell crank lever l2, link 41, bell crank lever 22 and the mechanism controlled thereby in such position that both the air break and oil contact member are held in closed position When the solenoid 46 is energized the pivot point 48 of the links 44: and 47 is' raised and thrown out of line upon the upward movement of the armature and the toggle is buckled or unlocked. As there is no support for the entire system of levers after the unlocking of the toggle, the entire lever structure is in unstable equilibrium and collapses due to the action of gravity and the parts move to the position shown in Fig. 2, the rod 12 in its downward movement opening the oil contact member by a separation of members 10 and 11. The arm 37 drops due to the removal of its support, (the end 33 of link 25) when the arm 29 is lowered due to the unlocking of the toggle. This'dropping of the arm 37 would open the air gap at the same time that the oil contact member is opened, thus causing a verydan: gerous arc with the heavy currents used, if no provision were made for retarding the movement of the arm37. This is accomplished by the dash ot mechanism comprising a casing 49 filledhvith oil of the desired viscosity and the plunger 50 pivoted a? 51 to an arm 52 on the frame 5. The casing 49 is pivoted to the arm 37 between the point where the arm is pivoted to the frame 5 at the ear 53 and the free end thereof. When the lever 37 islowered at its right hand end (Fig. 1), it is raised at its left hand end, thus causing the casing 49 to travel upwardly relatively to arm 52 and plunger 50, thus forcing the oil in the dash pot casing out slowly and retarding the downward movement of the arm 37 so as to insure the opening of the oil contact member prior to the opening of the air gap. The spring 54 may be used as an additional means to cause a downward movement of arm 37. It will thus be seen that on closin the switch, the air break will positively close prior to the closing of the oil contact member and on opening the switch, the oil contact member will positively open prior to the opening of the air break, thus insuring that the circuit is open when the air break is opened.

Locking devices are provided for locking the switch in certain sitions to'insure the safety'ofaperson wor ing on the switch, and to lock the air break in its closed position. The arm 37 is provided with two openings 55 and 55 to receive the pivot pin mounted in the ear 53, the opening55' being below the opening 55. Normally the pivot pin extends through the opening 55 as shown in. Figs. 1 and 2. However, the pin may be passed through the lower 0 .ning 55' as shown in Fig. 4. When this is done, the roller '36 on the arm 37 is held out oi. con tact with the end 3301 link 25 in all. tions thereof, which permits the "tree a tion of the oil contact member without any way affecting the air break which is then always in open position as shown in Jig. 4.

The arm. 56 mounted on the frame 5 is provided with a series of openings 57, 58 and 5.). When the arm 37 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, it is desirable to lock it in this position .to prevent closing of the air gap by moving the arm manually. This is done by inserting a padlock in 'the Opening 59 and the registering opening 61 in the end of arm 37.

It'is sometimes desirable to lock the air break switch in its closed position and permit operation of the oil contact member alone. This is necessary when there is a defeet in the air break mechanism that renders its operation undesirable or dangerous. The air break ordinarily serves primarily as a signal to indicate whether the switch is open or closed, and also as additional breaks in the circuit, so the oil contact member can be operated without using the air break. To do this the arm 37 .is brought to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 when the openings 57 andGl will'align. The padlock 60 is then inserted to lock the arm in this position, which looks the air break in closed position but permits operation of the oil contact member in the usual manner.

In order to lock both the air break and the oil contact member in open position so that neither member of the switch can be closed manually nor electrically, the arm 37 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, when the openings 58 and 61 will be. in alignment and the padlock'60 is inserted therein.

Means for blocking the operation of -the oil contacts at the same time leaving the air breaks free to operate, are sometimes desirable, so as to ina e it possible to work on the switch andunanipulate the air breaks, and at the same time make it. impossible for the switchboard operator to close the oil contact member.

This is accomplished by providing an ear 62 on the framework 5 having openings f therein aligning avith the opening 63 in the bell crank lever when it is in the position shown in Fig.2. The insertion of a pin in these openings will lock the oil con tact member in the open position as shown in Fig. 2, but will. permit themanipulation of the air break switch mechanism by means of the manual operation of. arm 37'. In order to provide, an additional safety feature, that is to say, to estahlish'a dead zone within which it is safe for the maintenance force to work on the switchwhen the air break is open without danger from the line or live contacts 17, the arrangement of the entire mechanism is such. that an insulating barrier 64. can be inserted in the position shown, with only the air bro terminals character of the air break elements will relieve the strain on the members 15.

Having thus described one form that the invention may take, I desire to have it understood that I do not intendto limit myself to the exact details shown and described except as defined by-the following claims:

1. A circuit breaking apparatus oi the character described comprising an oil switch mechanisrma visible air break switch mechanism automatically opened upon opening of said oil switch mechanism, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means for operating said oil switch mechanism, and means for operating said air break switch mechanism comprising a pair of contact members mounted for movement in opposite directions.

2. A circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, automatically opened visible air break switch mechanism, said switch mechanisms being serially included in the same circuit, means for operating said oil switch mechanism, means for operating said air break switch mechanism comprising a pair of contact members mounted for movement in opposite directions, and interen aging means whereby said air break is ClOSGC prior to the closing of said oil switch. 5

3. A circuit breaking apparatus of the escribed comprising an oil switch meohanis a visible air break switch mechanism auimatically. opened upon opening 'of said 01 switch mechanism, said switch ing movement in opposite directions, an arm for operating said contact members, and operating means for said oil switch mechanism, 'havin means for controlling the movements 0 said 0 erating arm.

5. A circuit breaking apparatus of the lft) a iaeaeai character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising a pair of con tact members mounted for swinging movement in opposite directions, an arm for op erating said contact .members, operating means for said oil switch mechanism, said operating means and arm having a co-oper ating cam and roller for controlling the movements-of said operating arm.

6. A circuit breaking apparatus ofthe character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism. comprising an arm and a pair of oppositel swinging contact members operatively connected therewith, said arm and contact members being pivotally mounted, so that said contact members will tend to swing to an air break opening position, and means controlled by said oil switch mechanism for holdingsaid air break closed when said oil switch is in closed position.

7. A circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break switch meriianism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising; an arm and a pair of oppositely swinginrj contact members operatircly connected therewith. said arm and contact members beingpivotally mounted, so that said contactmcmbers will tend to swin to an air break opening position and .mcanscontrolied by said oil switch mechanism for supporting said arm to hold said air break closed when said oil switch is in closed position.

8. A circuit breaking apparatus ot the character described comprising' an oil switch provided with a projecting, cam member,

and a rolleror. said arm cooperating therewith to holdsaid air break closed when said oil switch is incloscd position.

9. A circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an a n and a, pair of oppositely swinging; coni'ict memhers operatively connected the 'th,

arm and contact members pirotally v mounted, so that said contact will. tend to swing to an air opening peer tion, a link on. ad oil. awn

mechanism.

provided with a projecting cam member and a roller on said arm cooperating therewith to close said. air break prior to the closing of said oil switch.

10: A circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an. air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an arm and a pair of oppositely swinging contact members operatively connected therewith, said arm and contact members straight face of said cam subsequent to the closing of said air break to permit the closing of said oil switch.

11. A circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switwh mechanism, an air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an arm and a pair of oppositely swinging contact members operatively connected therewith, said arm and contact members being pivotally mounted, so that said contact members will tend to swing to an air break opening position, a link on said oil switch mechanism having a projecting cam member, and a roller on said arm cooperating therewith to support said air break mechanism in closed posit-ion, said cam member being adapted to be withdrawn to open said air break, when said oil switch. is opened.

A circuitbreaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism,'an air break mechanism. FitltOlIltitdClllY controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an armand a pair of oppositely swinging contact members operatively connected therewith, said arm and contact members being ivotally mounted, so that said contact mem )ers will tend to swing to an air break opening position, a link on said oil switchmechanism having a projecting cam member, a roller on said arnrcooperating therewith to support said air break mechanism in closed position, said cam member bein adaptedt-o be withdrawn to open said air reak, when said oil switch is opened, and means to retard the opening movement of said contact members.

13. A. circuit breaking apparatus of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break mechanism automatically controlled thereby. said air break mechanism comprising an arm and a pair of oppositel swinging contact menp bets operatively connected thcr vith, said arm aiul contact members being pivotally mounted. so that said contact members will tend to swing to an air break opening position, a link on. said oil switch mechaiiism having a projecting cam member, a roller on said arm cooperating therewith to support said air break mechanism in closed position. said cam member being adapted to be withdrawn to' open said air break, when said oil switch is opened. and a l lash pot member mounted on said arm to retard the opening movement ol said air break mechanism.

" character described comprising; an oil switch mechanism. an air break switch mechanism automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an arm and a pair of oppositely swinging contact members operz'itively connected therewith. said arm and contact members being pivotally mounted, so t lat said contact members will tend to swing to an air break opening: position. a link on said oil si'itch mechanism having a projectingcam member. a roller on said arm cooperating therewith to support said air break mechanism in closed p t on. sa d em member being adapted to be witadrewn to open said air break. when said cl switch is openeth a dash pot member mounted on said arm to retard the opening movement oi said air break mechanism. and a stop cooperating with said contact members to limit their opening" movement.

J1. circuit breaking mechanism of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break mechanism associated with said oil switch mechanism and normally automatically controlled thereby. an operating; lever for said oil switch mech anism, a linkage for actuating said lever and means cooperating with the switch frame-work to lock one of the links of said linkage thereto so that said oil switch mechanism is locked in open position and said air break mechanism may be manipulated independently thereof without closing the circuit comprising said oil switch and air break mechanisms.

16. A circuit breaking mechan sm. of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism. an air break mechanism associated with said oil switch mechanism and normally automatically controlled thereby. said air break mechanism comprising anti operating arm, a pair of oppositely swinging contact mem bers operatively connected to one end of said arm, said being 'roteii to the switch framework near the or er end thereof. erm being providers. with an open- 14. A circuit breaking; apparatusiot the ing in its free end beyond said pivot and said framework being provided with an arm having a plurality of openings adapted to align with the opening in said arm to receive a member to discstablish the automatic control of said air break mechanism by said oil switch mechanism.

17. A circuit breaking mechanism of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism, an air break mechanism associated with said oil switch mechanism and. normally automatically controlled thereby, said air break mechanism comprising an operating: arm pivptally mounted onthe switch frame. said arm being provided with a plurality of pivot receiving openings whereby said arm may be moicrl out of cooperating relation with said oil switch mechanism to disestablish the automatic control of said air break mechanism thereby.

18. A circuit breaking mechanism of the character described comprising an oil switch mechanism. an air break mechanism associated therewith and having a stationary contact. and means adapted to receive a bar-- ricr adapted for interposition between Said contact and the remaining current carrying parts of said mechanisms when said air break mechanism is in its open condition.

.19. A circuit breaking mechanism of the character described comprisingan oil switch mechanism. an air break mechanism associated with said oil switch mechanism and normally automatically controlled thcreby, till air break mechanism comprising an operating arm pivotally mounted on the switch frame. said arm being pro ridcil with a plurality of pivot openings and with a portion extending forwardly from thcpivot thcrcol, a stationary arm mounted on the switch framework and means for locking said operating arm to said stationary .arm in a plurality of positions. 1

20. A circuit breaking mechanism of the character described comprising an oil switch, an air break switch associated therewith and comprising relatively movable c0- opcrating contacts one adapted to be connected to line and another to be connected to the oil switch v means For actuating said s vitches, and means adapted bo-isolate said actuating means and said oil-switch and the contact of the air break switch connected to said oil switch from the line contact of said air break switch when the air break switch. is in circuit opening position comprising-a barrier adapted for interposition between the contacts of said air break switch when in circuit opening position, and means for supporting the barrier in said po sition.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of May, A. D. F 20.

BERTRAND G. JAMIEQ A 

